COLD WAR TIMELINE
The Yalta Conference
In February 1945, the Big Three shown in the picture above (Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin) met in Yalta to plan the end of the war. They discussed postwar organizations including the United Nations and divided territory among their respective countries.
In February 1945, the Big Three shown in the picture above (Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin) met in Yalta to plan the end of the war. They discussed postwar organizations including the United Nations and divided territory among their respective countries.
National Security Act
Truman is seen above, signing the National Security Act in 1947, which created the Department of Defense. It also created institutions such as the National Security Council (NSC) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Truman is seen above, signing the National Security Act in 1947, which created the Department of Defense. It also created institutions such as the National Security Council (NSC) and Central Intelligence Agency (CIA).
Loyalty Review Board
Truman is once again seen above signing into law the Loyalty Review Board in 1947, which used to investigate the possibility of communists spies in the government. This embodies the growing communist resentment accumulating in America.
Truman is once again seen above signing into law the Loyalty Review Board in 1947, which used to investigate the possibility of communists spies in the government. This embodies the growing communist resentment accumulating in America.
North Korea invades the South
On June 25, 1950 the North Korean army invaded South Korea. As the United States came to South Korea’s aid, a full out war broke out. In July 1953, after Eisenhower threatened to use nuclear weapons, an armistice was signed, ending the Korean War.
On June 25, 1950 the North Korean army invaded South Korea. As the United States came to South Korea’s aid, a full out war broke out. In July 1953, after Eisenhower threatened to use nuclear weapons, an armistice was signed, ending the Korean War.
Senator Joseph McCarthy
Starting in February 1950, Republican Senator Joseph R. McCarthy started a nationwide anti-communism movement with the goal of discovering and punishing any person in America whose loyalty lies with the Soviets. From Congress to Hollywood, he exposed numerous people as spies and Soviet sympathizers, whether true or not.
Starting in February 1950, Republican Senator Joseph R. McCarthy started a nationwide anti-communism movement with the goal of discovering and punishing any person in America whose loyalty lies with the Soviets. From Congress to Hollywood, he exposed numerous people as spies and Soviet sympathizers, whether true or not.
Sputnik I
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik I satellite into space. Carrying a dog into space in November, the Soviet Union had showed its impressive scientific capabilities. In response, Eisenhower established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
On October 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched the Sputnik I satellite into space. Carrying a dog into space in November, the Soviet Union had showed its impressive scientific capabilities. In response, Eisenhower established the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The Berlin Wall
In August, 1961, the Soviets began construction of the Berlin Wall. It was designed to stop the large population drain from East Germany to West Germany through Berlin.
In August, 1961, the Soviets began construction of the Berlin Wall. It was designed to stop the large population drain from East Germany to West Germany through Berlin.
"Vietnamization"
Defense Secretary Melvin R. Laird is seen above showing the administration's Vietnamization record. Vietnamization, Nixon's policy concerning Vietnam, was a plan to withdraw the 540,000 U.S. troops slowly overtime, but also teach the South Vietnamese to defend and govern themselves.
Defense Secretary Melvin R. Laird is seen above showing the administration's Vietnamization record. Vietnamization, Nixon's policy concerning Vietnam, was a plan to withdraw the 540,000 U.S. troops slowly overtime, but also teach the South Vietnamese to defend and govern themselves.
Nixon's Detente with China and Russia
It became apparent that even though China and the Soviet Union were were communist, they embraced very different forms of Communism which put them at odds. In 1972, Nixon made a visit to China and paved the way for improved relations between the United States and Beijing. In May 1972, Nixon traveled to Moscow, which was ready to deal after seeing China negotiate with the U.S.. Nixon's visits ushered in an era of détente, or relaxed tensions between the Soviet Union and China.
It became apparent that even though China and the Soviet Union were were communist, they embraced very different forms of Communism which put them at odds. In 1972, Nixon made a visit to China and paved the way for improved relations between the United States and Beijing. In May 1972, Nixon traveled to Moscow, which was ready to deal after seeing China negotiate with the U.S.. Nixon's visits ushered in an era of détente, or relaxed tensions between the Soviet Union and China.
Nixon says Goodbye
On June 17, 1972, five men working for the Republican Committee for the Re-election of the President were caught breaking into the Watergate Hotel and bugging rooms of the Committee heading the Democratic National Convention. After submitting audio recordings, On August 8 of the same year, Nixon Resigned, realizing that he would be convicted if impeached, and with resignation, he could at least keep the privileges of a president.
On June 17, 1972, five men working for the Republican Committee for the Re-election of the President were caught breaking into the Watergate Hotel and bugging rooms of the Committee heading the Democratic National Convention. After submitting audio recordings, On August 8 of the same year, Nixon Resigned, realizing that he would be convicted if impeached, and with resignation, he could at least keep the privileges of a president.
North Vietnam's Victory
Early in 1975, the North Vietnamese made their full invasion of South Vietnam. The South was quickly taken and on April 29, 1975, the last of the Americans were evacuated. The estimated cost to America was $188 billion, with 56,000 dead and 300,000 wounded.
Early in 1975, the North Vietnamese made their full invasion of South Vietnam. The South was quickly taken and on April 29, 1975, the last of the Americans were evacuated. The estimated cost to America was $188 billion, with 56,000 dead and 300,000 wounded.
Hostages in Tehran
On November 4, 1979, a group of anti-American Muslim militants stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took hostages, demanding that the U.S. return the exiled shah who had arrived in the U.S. two weeks earlier for cancer treatments. The hostages were not released until Reagan's inauguration day.
On November 4, 1979, a group of anti-American Muslim militants stormed the U.S. embassy in Tehran and took hostages, demanding that the U.S. return the exiled shah who had arrived in the U.S. two weeks earlier for cancer treatments. The hostages were not released until Reagan's inauguration day.
Gorbachev's Glasnost and Perestroika
Mikhail Gorbachev became the chairman of the Soviet Communist party in March 1985. Committed to radical reforms in the Soviet Union, he announced two policies, Glasnost and Perestroika, aimed at ventilating the Soviet society by introducing free speech and a measure of liberty, and reviving the Soviet economy by adopting many of the free-market practices.
Mikhail Gorbachev became the chairman of the Soviet Communist party in March 1985. Committed to radical reforms in the Soviet Union, he announced two policies, Glasnost and Perestroika, aimed at ventilating the Soviet society by introducing free speech and a measure of liberty, and reviving the Soviet economy by adopting many of the free-market practices.
Tiananmen Square
In 1989, thousands of prodemocracy demonstrators protested in Tiananmen Square in China. In June of that year, China's autocratic rulers grew angry and brutally crushed the movement. Tanks and machine gunners killed hundreds of protestors. World opinion condemned the bloody suppression of the prodemocracy demonstrators.
In 1989, thousands of prodemocracy demonstrators protested in Tiananmen Square in China. In June of that year, China's autocratic rulers grew angry and brutally crushed the movement. Tanks and machine gunners killed hundreds of protestors. World opinion condemned the bloody suppression of the prodemocracy demonstrators.
The Fall of the Berlin Wall and Communism
In December 1989, the Berlin Wall came down, and the two Germanies were reunited in October 1990.
In December 1989, the Berlin Wall came down, and the two Germanies were reunited in October 1990.
Gorbachev Resigns
After a failed military coup and pressure from other Government officials, in December 1991, Gorbachev resigned as Soviet president.
After a failed military coup and pressure from other Government officials, in December 1991, Gorbachev resigned as Soviet president.